Design Folder: Your Online Design and Decorating Resource

in good taste: z bar, cebu

Z Bar was one of my friend’s highly recommended places to visit in Cebu because of its unique and impressive design. Because bars are always dimly lit, their interiors seldom have very detailed designs. But Z Bar is different.

After our first dinner in Cebu, Ana and I went to check the bar together with Ian (our impromptu photographer for the night, with his ever dependable Lumix camera) and our new-found friend Chito (our unofficial sponsor for the night, hehe).

I have seen photos of Z Bar before, but it looks way more amazing in person. Its design is a collaboration between modernist architect Ed Calma and designer Kenneth Cobonpue. Kenneth is internationally known for his organic furniture designs. Z Bar is, if I’m not mistaken, his first design applied on a full-scale interior. From what I gather, the primary motivation for the design was the small size of the space. So, to make the space look bigger, instead of highlighting the walls and ceiling, they were made to sort of disappear!

Those little wishbone-shaped stuff that seem to be floating in mid-air are bamboo twigs tied by hand onto a randomly welded metal frame. It is a blown-up, warped version of Kenneth’s Kris Kros screen which uses the same concept. Down on the floor are lighted onyx (translucent natural stone) tiles whose natural grains complement the overall organic look. This is the same material used for the lighted staircase (first photo). Apart from the lighted floor, there were also hanging accent lamps made from salago fibers, such as the round Moon lamp.

The bar felt and looked like there’s an abyss above you. Actually, I don’t know which is a more fitting association—a galaxy/outer space, an interior of a glowing beehive, or some scene in Avatar. You just have to see it for yourself.

Z Bar is located at the second floor of The Tinder Box, Archbishop Reyes Ave., Banilad, Cebu City.

*Photos courtesy of Ian Santos

i saw design: the mind museum

Last month, we attended a one-of-a-kind event at the NBC Tent. Kenji Williams, an award-winning director and classically trained violinist, with Ballet Philippines, wowed the 1500 plus audience with sights and sounds of Bella Gaia. Bella Gaia is an audio-visual trip showing the “beauty of the Earth as seen through the eyes of astronauts.”

The event was organized as a preview of The Mind Museum to the public.

The Mind Museum, “the first world-class science museum in the Philippines”, is set to open at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The building is designed by a team of architects from Lor Calma & Partners, led by Ed Calma.

The audience at the NBC Tent, composed of designers, scientists, students, educators, sponsors and the press were shown 3D renderings of the different galleries that will be housed in the two-level structure.

Some of the main galleries are:

The Universe Gallery

The Earth Gallery

The Atom Gallery

The Life Gallery

Learn more about The Mind Museum here. The Design Folder team will be first in line when it opens in 2011.

*Photos and renderings courtesy of The Mind Museum

fashion meets design: marlon rivera

If you’re a fan of Project Runway Philippines, you know that this season showed a couple of challenges inspired by architecture/interior/furniture design. Ed Calma’s architecture inspired Hanz and Manny’s winning avant-garde dress in the week 7 challenge. In another episode, furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue’s chair inspired Russell’s dragnet look.

Dragnet lounge chair by Kenneth Cobonpue (left) / Russell Villafuerte’s winning look (right)

We’ve always been fascinated by the influence of architecture and interior design on fashion and vice versa. So when we went to Marlon Rivera’s fashion show at Philippine Fashion Week, we were delighted to see interesting silhouettes and textures.

But we were particularly charmed by the colors he used for his pieces.

His color palette (specifically his smokey blues, mauves, and earthy neutrals) reminded us of Pantone’s 2010 home and interiors color trend forecast, which we saw at Apartment Therapy.

Pantone 2010 home and interiors color forecast – Greenmarket palette (top), Gatherings palette (middle), Galaxy palette (bottom)

We don’t know if Marlon Rivera was inspired by Pantone’s color forecast but he certainly is on trend. We’re looking forward to these colors on furniture, accessories and in homes in 2010. We’re also looking forward to Mr. Rivera’s next collection.

*photos from Marlon Rivera’s fashion show by Katrina Luciano /  photo of Dragnet lounge chair from http://www.kennethcobonpue.com /  photo of Russell’s winning look from Project Runway Philippines’ website